Rabiya Mateo could not hold back her tears when it went live on Instagram TV on May 13, 2021 (May 14 in the Philippines). This is after the national costume show of the Miss Universe 2020 pageant held at Seminole Hard Rock & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

Many Filipino pageant fans noticed that the national costume worn by Rabiya was incomplete. These include the sun-inspired headpiece made by Manny Halasan that would have completed the national costume of the late fashion designer Rocky Gathercole.

“I’m so sorry kung na-disappoint man kayo sa akin but I know na I did my best I even cut my finger earlier ang yung stockings ko puno ng dugo…

“But I keep fighting kahit wala ng oras and wala ng enough time to retouch my hair, to retouch my makeup. Like I was there, I was running for pin, i was running for scissors.. for everything just to be able to execute the costume really well,” Rabiya explained.

Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo Victoria’s Secret Angel (National Costume)

“Kaya maraming maraming salamat talaga guys, ha. I think, in myself kanina, I felt really great. Feeling ko nung naglalakad ako, I was so beautiful.

“Nakita ko yung cheer ng mga judges, nakita ko yung sigawan ng mga Pilipino kaya nagpapasalamat talaga ako sa suporta.

“Thank you so much guys and tomorrow may competition pa tayo and again, malaking laban ulit kaya ipagdasal niyo sana kaming lahat mga girls to execute yung pinaka-best performance na kaya namin.

“Because our girl really is to make our country proud. Kaya sana, sana, sana maging proud din kayo sa akin kasi it’s never easy pero kinakaya ko para sa inyong lahat. Again, maraming salamat.”